knadh/listmonk - Detailed Review#

1. Overview & GitHub Stats#

• URL: https://github.com/knadh/listmonk
• Stars: 17652

2. Project Description#

knadh/listmonk is a powerful, open-source newsletter and mailing list manager designed for high performance and ease of use. Built as a single binary application, it offers a modern dashboard, robust subscriber management, and comprehensive campaign analytics. It’s ideal for developers, marketers, and organizations seeking full control over their email communications without relying on third-party services.

3. What Software Does It Replace?#

listmonk serves as a compelling alternative to several popular commercial and open-source solutions, including:

• Mailchimp
• Sendy (self-hosted)
• SendGrid (for basic newsletter features)
• Mailjet
• ConvertKit (for simpler use cases)

4. Core Functionality#

Key features of listmonk include:

• Subscriber Management: Import, segment, and manage subscribers with custom attributes.
• Campaign Creation: Design responsive newsletters using a built-in editor or HTML.
• Automation: Schedule campaigns and set up triggered emails.
• Analytics: Track opens, clicks, bounces, and unsubscribes in real-time.
• API & Webhooks: Extend functionality and integrate with other tools.
• Templates: Use pre-designed templates or create custom ones.
• Single Binary: Easy deployment without complex dependencies.

5. Pros and Cons#

Pros:

• Cost-Effective: No subscription fees; only server costs.
• Privacy & Control: Full data ownership and compliance customization.
• High Performance: Handles large lists and high send volumes efficiently.
• Modern UI: Intuitive dashboard for both technical and non-technical users.
• Active Development: Regular updates and a growing community.

Cons:

• Self-Hosting Required: Requires server management skills.
• Limited Support: Relies on community forums instead of dedicated support.
• Advanced Features: May lack some advanced automation compared to enterprise solutions.

6. Detailed Installation Guide (Self-host)#

Follow these steps to deploy listmonk on an Ubuntu server:

1
sudo apt update
2
sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose
3
sudo systemctl enable docker
4
sudo systemctl start docker

1
git clone https://github.com/knadh/listmonk.git
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cd listmonk

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sudo -u postgres psql
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CREATE DATABASE listmonk;
3
CREATE USER listmonk WITH PASSWORD 'your_secure_password';
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GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE listmonk TO listmonk;
5
\q

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[app]
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address = "0.0.0.0:9000"
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[database]
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host = "localhost"
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port = 5432
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user = "listmonk"
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password = "your_secure_password"
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database = "listmonk"

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docker-compose up -d